Transcript What is Solar Energy?

Solar Energy=
Energy from the SUN!!!
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What is Solar Energy?
-Energy that is collected and transformed from the sun into
high-temperature thermal energy: this can be used directly
(as heat) or converted to electricity.
-Used to create electricity (active) for houses and
industries and to heat (passive) houses and water.
-Future goals: provide electricity for rural villages in developing
countries, produce electricity at a small plant where there are
gas turbines for backup when the sun is not out.
powering villages
How it is used (Active):
-Converted to electricity by photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells.
-Solar cells are transparent and contain a semiconductor material.
-Sunlight energizes the electrons in the semiconductor to flow,
creating energy. solar cells video
To heat water: Solar panels are installed on the roof and a duct
is installed. A transfer fluid is run along the duct from the panels
to water, and the heat energy is exchanged between the two.
hot water collector
How it is used (Passive):
• A home's windows, walls, and floors can be
designed to collect, store, and distribute solar
energy in the form of heat in the winter and
reject solar heat in the summer
• Passive solar design doesn't involve the use
of mechanical and electrical devices.
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http://mt2-stage.ecohomeresource.com/passive_solar.jpg
Examples of Large-Scale
Solar Power Plants:
Solar Power Tower
or
Central Receiver System
Solar Thermal Plant
or
Distributed Receiver System
Parabolic Dish Collectors
Solar Energy Advantages:
-No CO2 emissions
-No air and/or water pollution
-Fast construction (1-2 years for industrial use)
-Low land use (if used for houses on window
or roof for heating)
-”Fuel” is free!!!
Solar Energy Disadvantages:
-Need access to sun
-Initial high cost to install
-May disturb desert areas
-Need a backup or storage system
Interesting Fact
YHS has Solar Panels on the roof!
•The system is a 3 kW system; this can produce 3,900 kwh
of clean energy each year!
•It helps to offset carbon, nitrogen and sulfur emissions.
•Let’s take a look at what it is doing right now!!!!
YHS panels